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Dent du Chat

The Lac du Bourget's totem summit at 1,390 m: three waymarked approaches — one short, from the relais du Mont du Chat — and an exposed final section the tourist office advises against for children.

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The Dent du Chat above the Lac du Bourget, Savoie
At a glance
Type
Summit and hiking trail
Access
Free — waymarked mountain trail
Best season
Summer-autumn; the final section is exposed in all weather
Parking
Relais du Mont du Chat (short approach) or col du Chat
Animals
Advised against by the tourist office ('Eviter l'accès avec les enfants et animaux')
Town
Bourdeau

Official source →

What is Dent du Chat

The Dent du Chat raises its limestone spur to 1,390 m above the Lac du Bourget, with a 360° panorama from the top. The tourist office publishes three waymarked approaches: from the col du Chat, 2h30 up and 5h round trip for +752 m; from the relais du Mont du Chat car park, about 1h up and 2h round trip for 110 m of gain; and a long loop from Saint-Jean-de-Chevelu, 6h and +1,250 m, mostly in forest.

One official warning to take seriously: the final section is aerial and difficult — 'Eviter l'accès avec les enfants et animaux' (avoid bringing children and animals), writes the tourist office. We quote it as is.

An administrative honesty note: the tourist office's address block places the start at Saint-Paul-sur-Yenne (73170), while the IGN geocoder puts the summit in the commune of Bourdeau (73370). This page carries the IGN summit's commune — the coordinates are that summit — and flags the gap.

Activities

What you can do here

Practical

Practical information

Summit
1,390 m — 360° view over the Lac du Bourget
From the col du Chat
2h30 up, 5h round trip, +752 m
From the relais du Mont du Chat
≈1h up, 2h round trip, 110 m
Saint-Jean-de-Chevelu loop
6h, +1,250 m, mostly forest
Warning
'Avoid bringing children and animals' (tourist office)
Access

How to get there

By car

Relais du Mont du Chat road (short approach) or the col du Chat; waymarked paths from both car parks.

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When to visit

When to visit

Summer and autumn for dry rock — the exposed final section does not forgive greasy ground. Children and pets: the tourist office says no.

Winter

Winter season

Winter access window
Not specified
Winter infrastructure
Not specified
Snow panorama
Not specified
Equipment mandated
Loi Montagne II — winter tyres or chains required (1 Nov – 31 Mar)
Nearby

Where to eat, drink, stay

A restaurant in Bourdeau?

Hosting visitors of Dent du Chat ? Appear here.

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A bakery, a shop in Bourdeau?

Share hours and specialties with visitors of Dent du Chat.

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Photos

Gallery

Been there? Share your photos — we'll add them to this page with credit. Tag #loisirs73 or email photos@loisirs73.fr

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How long is the climb?

Three official options: 2h30 up (5h round trip, +752 m) from the col du Chat; about 1h (2h round trip, 110 m) from the relais du Mont du Chat car park; or a 6h loop (+1,250 m) from Saint-Jean-de-Chevelu.

Can you bring children?

The tourist office explicitly advises against it: 'Eviter l'accès avec les enfants et animaux' — the final section is aerial and difficult.

What do you see from the top?

A 360° panorama, with the Lac du Bourget below.

What is the shortest approach?

From the relais du Mont du Chat car park: about 1h up, 2h round trip, 110 m of elevation gain.

Which commune is the summit in?

The IGN geocoder places it in Bourdeau (73370); the tourist office's address says Saint-Paul-sur-Yenne (73170). The two sources differ and we flag it.

Sources

Sources & verification

Multi-source verification at publication. Information may change — confirm with the official operator before travelling.

Published 10 août 2026·Updated 10 août 2026

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